Week One Match Notes

PORTLAND, Ore.- Fresh off the 2011 campaign that saw the Portland State women's soccer team secure a share of the conference regular season championship, the Vikings are poised to take the next step in the team's continued progression, a Big Sky tournament championship.
           
Last season PSU continued its trend of conference success as the team went 4-1-2 in Big Sky play and tied Northern Colorado for top spot among its peers. Likewise the Vikings were among the Big Sky defensive elite as the team ranked at the top or near the top in most defensive categories, including having the most shutouts in the Big Sky with seven while being second in the conference in goals allowed (19) and goals against average (0.99). Melissa Ferguson '12 led the conference in goals against average (0.59) and save percentage (.846) as well.            
           
However as Portland State said goodbye to the accomplished class of 2012, that meant saying farewell to four out five of starters from last year's backline as defenders Toni Carnovale, Esty Geiger and Tish Wise along with goalkeeper Melissa Ferguson all graduated. This now leaves PSU's defense as the biggest question mark heading into the season.
 
“We lost some very good players and some real leadership from last year's class but I feel that we have very good leaders that are stepping forward,” head coach Laura Schott said. “We graduated four out of five starters between our keeper and back line but I don't see that as alarming or concerning, other players will step up and will just need a little time to gel.”
 
While questions remain about who will fill the defensive void, the opposite can be asked about the team's attack, as Portland State boasts a midfield and forward group that is brimming with veteran leadership, including returning senior and reigning Big Sky Offensive MVP and Golden Boot winner, Megan Martin.
 
Aside from the return of Martin, the Vikings welcome back several players that were injured last year that will bolster an already strong offense. Senior midfielder Amanda Howie and sophomore forward Eryn Brown both return from season ending injuries and should prove to strengthen the PSU attack.
 
All-in-all Portland State welcomes back 12 letterwinners and five starters from last season while the returners are joined by the class of 2016, which is 11 players deep.
 
“We have a large roster, talented returners, and a lot of competition right off the bat,” Schott said. “We have a lot of impact players that will not only start but come off the bench and make a difference, including members of our freshman class making our depth a strength.”
 
Here is how the 2012 edition of the Portland State Vikings shape up, position by position.
           
Forwards
While the defensive stats may have been more consistent for Portland State as far as its ranking in the conference, its hard to argue against the numbers of senior Megan Martin. Martin led the team in offensive production with six goals and 14 points and also led the conference in Big Sky contests with four markers and 11 points. Martin earned the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year award as well as the Big Sky's Golden Boot accolade. Martin is only the third player in PSU history to accomplish this feat joining Katie Miayke 2002 and Dolly Enneking 2009 in that special club.
 
“Megan Martin is our returning conference offensive MVP and I look for her to be a threat wherever she plays,” Schott said. “I expect and we need her to be a big impact player for us this year.”
 
Joining Martin on the attack will be sophomores Daniella Solis and Eryn Brown. Brown returns to the lineup after suffering a season ending injury in 2011 and looks to regain her form while Solis is expected to take a big step forward from her freshman campaign after she returns from competing for Mexico at the FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup in Japan.
 
“With Eryn Brown coming off injury it will take a little time for her to get readjusted but she was our leading scorer two years ago so it's good to welcome her back,” said Schott. “Daniella Solis I think will make a step forward this year because of the experience she'll be getting in the World Cup.”
 
The Viks will also benefit from the veteran support of senior Amber Fenton, and junior Ariel Snyder. Both players saw considerable time for PSU. In 2011 Snyder tallied one goal and one assist for three points and Fenton registered an assist.
 
Midfielders
“We have a tremendous amount of maturity and experience in that position, so I look for our midfield to be the heart of our team,” Schott said.
With this midfield being possibly the deepest for the Vikings, it will be this group that Portland State will rely on the most. Those high expectations will most certainly fall on its two senior midfielders, Amanda Dutra and Amanda Howie. Both those players have proven to be integral pieces to the Portland State puzzle and will be called on once more to lead the charge.
 
Dutra was third on the team in points last season after tallying two goals and three assists for seven points. Meanwhile PSU will receive another boost to its lineup, as it will welcome Howie back to the fold after coming back from a season-ending injury. In her junior season, the Tigard, Ore., native scored two goals for Portland State and was part of a defense that recorded eight shutouts and only allowed 1.25 goals per game while only surrendering five goals during conference play.
           
“Both Howie and Dutra have been captains in the past and I look for both of them to step up and lead again this year,” Schott said. “In Dutra's case she has a chance to become our all-time assists leader so she'll be going after that record pretty hard and will give us a chance to win every game.”
           
Portland State will also benefit from the services of sophomore Ariana Cooley and junior Teal Sigler. Cooley played in all 18 games for the Viks last season and aside from her contributions to the defense, chipped in an assist while Sigler scored one goal during last year's campaign.
 
Defenders
Defense is the position that poses the biggest questions for Portland State after losing several key seniors to graduation last season. However the void left by departed seniors now leaves opportunity for other players to step up, namely seniors Michelle Hlasnik and Carlie Martin and junior Lexi Greenwood. The trio combined for 43 games played last season and look to offer leadership for the younger players.
 
“We lost a lot on defense last year but I know we have great talent coming in to fill those spots,” Schott said. “We're excited to have Carlie Martin returning as she started every game last year and she's been a leader and has done a great job for us.”
            
Joining the aforementioned trio will be sophomore Kelsey Henningsen who like Howie and Brown, is also coming off an injury. Henningsen played in only 10 games last season and contributed one assist in the process.
 
Redshirt sophomore Melissa Bishop will also figure into Portland State's plans on defense. The transfer from Eastern Washington did not play last season due to transfer rules but looks to bolster the back line this season. Bishop played in nine games for the Eagles recording 408 minutes played and one shot on goal.

Goalkeeper
“Camp will be somewhat of a competition for the goalkeepers,” said Schott. “Melissa Ferguson, who played the majority of our conference games, graduated this past season. She did a tremendous job but we need someone to emerge in training camp.”
           
The end of the 2011 season marked the end of a strong senior campaign for transfer Melissa Ferguson '12, who led the conference in goals against average (0.59) and save percentage (.846). She also garnered Big Sky Honorable Mention honors. Her departure sets the stage for Portland State's most interesting position battle heading into camp. The Vikings welcome back three goalkeepers while add another through the class of 2016.
           
Senior Lainey Hulsizer holds the edge in experience as she has played in 15 matches in her time on PSU, maintaining a career 1.60 goals against average and a .766 save percentage. Hulsizer will be challenged by a pair of redshirt freshmen in Angela Haluska and Caitlin Plese as well as true freshman Anna Stewart.
           
“We added a tremendous young goalkeeper in Anna Stewart while both Angela Haluska and Caitlin Plese are both very talented,” said Schott. “Lainey Hulsizer has played plenty of minutes for us in the past as well so we feel there will be a strong battle for that position.”
 
Freshman
The Portland State Vikings welcome a robust freshmen class that includes 11 members of the class of 2016. With the loss of some key contributors on defense and midfield last season its no surprise to see eight newcomers slated to play between the midfield and backfield. The other freshman are listed as two forwards and one goalkeeper.
           
Torie Morris, Lindsey Millen, Rebecca Sikora, and Beka Lofstedt comprise the new crop of PSU's defense. Morris, Millen and Lofstedt all got significant playing time during the team's two exhibition matches. Morris started both games while Lofstedt recorded a goal against Trinity Western.
           
Midfield is also a position that brings four newcomers as Emma Cooney, Whitney Hilde, Tamia Hasan, and Kit Stokes will challenge for playing time this season.  Midfield is Portland State's deepest position and it will get even deeper with the crop joining the Viks. All four players have seen playing time through both exhibition matches and look to create more depth for a position that has been called “the heart of the team” by head coach Laura Schott.
           
Joining the Viks attack is Cori Bianchini and Lynsey Gaines. So far in exhibition play Bianchini has seen a ton of action up front and has played well, testing the opposing goalkeeper a number of times. Gaines also looks to try to make an impression on a very deep forward position.
           
Anna Stewart is the team's lone goalkeeper recruit in the class of 2016 but because of the wide-openness of the goalkeeper battle, Stewart might have an opportunity sooner rather than later to steal some minutes away from the trio of returners.
 
Schedule
Portland State will ready itself for a particularly challenging non-conference schedule that features two teams that earned NCAA tournament berths (outside of the Big Sky tournament winner), two tournaments and games against interstate foes, Oregon State and Oregon.
             
“Our non-conference schedule is a tough one for sure,” said Schott. “The nice thing is we're home a lot more than we have been in the past but we play some high quality teams which will get us prepared heading into conference play.”
 
The Vikings open at home against Saint Mary's College on Aug. 17. PSU then will get a dose of regional soccer, as they head to Beaverton, Ore., to face Oregon State. They will then host the University of Oregon and battle the Seattle University Red Hawks on the road.
           
Portland State will host the Viking Classic on Sept. 7-9 when it takes on Boise State and Utah State over the weekend. The following weekend the Viks will compete in the Nike Classic in Boise, Idaho when they play Utah and Nebraska Omaha.
           
The Vikings open up its Big Sky slate on the road against Northern Colorado and North Dakota on Sept. 21 and Sept. 23, respectively. Portland State will host Montana, Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Weber State and Sacramento State for its home conference schedule.
           
The Big Sky tournament will take place on Nov. 1-4 with the first place finisher in the regular season earning the right to host.
 
Outlook
With the returns of several key additions, the continued progression of its young core and an infusion of talent in the freshman class, Portland State is once again positioned to challenge for a Big Sky championship.
           
“I expect a lot of these players will have a number of things in common and more than ever will be on the same page as far as competitiveness,” Schott said. “They take their success seriously and understand where they've put themselves in the conference and want to continue that success.”
           
It's no secret when looking at the stats that the Vikings have found a good bit of success against its Big Sky foes under Schott. The team has not lost more than two Big Sky contests in a season since she took over in 2008. Schott's squads hold a 17-5-6 record against the conference. While those stats show a staggering advantage towards the Vikings, a conference championship has still eluded Portland State, as they were recently bounced from the conference tournament in a 0-0 tie against Weber State last season after losing 3-4 in penalty kicks.
           
“Other than staying consistent I wouldn't say there is one thing that we need to do a lot better for us to progress in the conference tournament,” said Schott. “When we get into the busy time of the year with exams and our conference schedule we need to make sure that when we step on the field, the game is the only thing on our minds.”
           
With that in mind Portland State appears to be a strong contender for the conference title, with the 2011 offensive MVP returning and slew of veteran talent it is clear what the Viking goal is headed into 2012.
“It's always to get in the top four of our conference, clinch the top spot, host our tournament, and secure a berth into the NCAA tournament by way of a Big Sky championship,” Schott said.